I love that so therapy is so cool. I love to see it de-stigmatized. I love that so many people have a desire or interest to engage in therapeutic spaces and becoming more psychologically conscious. What I don’t like is counsel culture, pop psychology, and toxic therapy/healing. You’re NOT an expert without a 4 year undergraduate degree in something and a MASTERS degree in the field at minimum. Then add in anti intellectualism. People HATE when you correct them and make it like the clinician is the one ignorant to this whole field, to mental health, and the brain. We are seeing an uptick of individuals that desire to be pathologized and want to pathologize the behaviors and thoughts of those around them with no experience, just buzzwords they heard from a TikTok video or from a podcast they viewed on YouTube. It’s hard being a therapist in today’s society where no one wants to expand their capacity but wants to set boundaries, protect their peace, etc. whew! It’s hard, but we gon make it! #netflix #therapist #therapistsontiktok #mentalhealth
As someone who has been interested in mental health and therapy for years, I can relate deeply to the challenges faced by licensed professionals today. The Netflix documentary "Surviving Pop Psychology" really highlights how the rise of social media and casual psychological advice often overshadow the expertise of trained clinicians. It’s frustrating to see people misusing clinical terms they’ve learned from TikTok or podcasts and assuming the role of armchair therapists without any formal education. In my experience, the increased accessibility of mental health topics is a double-edged sword. On one hand, reducing stigma and encouraging open conversations about therapy is fantastic. But the downside is the spread of misinformation and the emergence of counsel culture, where people sometimes judge or pathologize others without understanding the complexities of mental health. This often leads to misunderstanding and can devalue the work of those who have dedicated years to learning the science behind mental illness and therapy. I also appreciate the writer's point about anti-intellectualism. Suggesting that mental health professionals are somehow out of touch or ignorant is painfully common when their expertise is challenged by those spreading simplistic or sensationalized ideas online. It can make practicing therapists feel isolated and underappreciated, especially when their professional recommendations are dismissed as overly complex or unnecessary. Setting personal boundaries and protecting mental peace is crucial not only for clients but also for therapists themselves. The pressure on mental health workers is immense, especially when their abilities and knowledge are questioned by the public and sometimes even clients influenced by pop psychology trends. Yet, dedication to their craft keeps these professionals going, striving to educate and support people in truly healing ways. From my perspective, promoting awareness about the real qualifications behind therapy and encouraging respect for clinical professionals helps reduce the harm caused by toxic therapy trends. It’s important to recognize that true mental health support involves rigorous training and continuous learning — it’s not just about catchy buzzwords or trends. This article is a timely reminder of the value of professional expertise in mental health, and the challenges therapists face balancing their roles in a society eager yet unprepared to engage with psychological care fully.

































































































